JAKARTA - Atletico Madrid's total defensive game in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City last week was criticized by many parties. However, the sharp criticism will not change the philosophy of playing the Spanish La Liga club.
This was confirmed by Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone. According to him, there is no need to change the style of play just to satisfy the critics.
"Be careful when you speak," Simeone said at a press conference ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City, as reported by Antara from Reuters.
"I have coached since 2005-06 and I prefer to always respect my team-mates. But there are always former players or coaches who choose to open their mouths to attract attention. I don't need to ignore them," he continued.
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One of the criticisms came from the former Italian coach, Arrigo Sacchi. He called the game Los Rojiblancos as prehistoric football from the 60s.
Simeone insists his team has an identity and will stick to it. That will also be shown against Manchester City at the Wanda Metropolitano, Thursday, April 14 morning of Indonesian Western Time (WIB).
Although it takes a win to qualify for the semifinals, Diego Simeone seems to still be applying the philosophy that has been built at Atletico Madrid.
"We are going up against a team that is playing very well. Very good positional play, but we have hope," he said.
"Obviously hope is not enough, but we will try to win this game, where we can beat them back," continued Diego Simeone.
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